Pattern Canada and W8banaki Nation present 200 MW Osgood Wind Project to Quebec communities at first public open house

On September 4, 2026, Pattern Canada, Connectif des Sommets, and the W8banaki Nation brought the proposed Osgood Wind Project before the public for the first time — drawing more than 100 residents, municipal representatives, and landowners to an open house in Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds, Quebec.

The project is currently in its preliminary development phase, being considered under Hydro-Québec’s A/O 2026-01 wind energy procurement process. Whether it moves forward depends on what comes next.

Open house draws more than 100 attendees in Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds

The September 4 evening event took place in Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds — one of the municipalities that would host part of the project’s infrastructure if it clears the procurement hurdle. People came from across the Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions: local residents, municipal elected officials, and landowners whose properties sit within or near the proposed development area.

At that point, the development team expects to present an updated version of the project, incorporating what they heard during this first round of engagement.

Teams from all three partners were on hand to walk attendees through the project details and answer questions. It wasn’t just a presentation — the evening was also structured to collect public feedback that’ll shape how the project evolves going forward.

A second public consultation is already planned for late fall. At that point, the development team expects to present an updated version of the project, incorporating what they heard during this first round of engagement.

Project submitted under Hydro-Québec’s 2026 wind energy procurement process

The Osgood Wind Project is still in its preliminary development phase — meaning a lot can change before any turbine goes up. It’s being evaluated under Hydro-Québec’s A/O 2026-01 wind energy procurement process, a competitive bidding framework the provincial utility uses to select new renewable energy sources.

Getting selected by Hydro-Québec is the critical gate. If the project isn’t chosen, development stops. That’s part of why the open house matters: the team is working to refine the project and demonstrate community support ahead of any procurement decision, since public input gathered now could influence both the design and overall viability.

Project would install 25 turbines with a combined capacity of up to 200 MW

The current plan calls for approximately 25 wind turbines with a combined generating capacity of up to 200 megawatts — enough electricity to meet the annual needs of roughly 30,000 Quebec households.

The project footprint spans several municipalities. Most of the development would sit within Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds and Inverness, with smaller portions extending into Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière, Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton (north), and Saint-Sylvestre. That geographic spread is part of why consultation across both regions matters — the project crosses administrative boundaries in ways that affect different communities differently. If selected by Hydro-Québec and approved through the necessary regulatory processes, operations are anticipated to begin around 2032.

Project expected to create more than 200 construction jobs and up to 10 permanent positions

The economic case for Osgood breaks into two distinct phases. During construction, the project is projected to create more than 200 jobs — concentrated, skilled-trade activity that can have a real short-term impact on regional economies. Once the turbines are running, the permanent workforce shrinks considerably: between 7 and 10 ongoing positions, which is fairly typical for wind energy operations that don’t require large teams once infrastructure is in place.

Connectif des Sommets has been upfront about why it’s backing the project. President Gervais Pellerin cited Osgood’s potential to generate meaningful benefits for local communities as the core reason for the organization’s involvement. Pattern Canada’s Director of Development, William Shemie, framed the goals similarly — clean electricity generation, regional economic activity, and a contribution to Quebec’s broader decarbonization efforts.

Pattern Canada’s existing presence in Quebec and the role of community partners

Pattern Energy Canada isn’t new to this part of Quebec. The company has been active in the province for more than 15 years, with its Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind Farm operating since 2018 and its Broughton Project currently under development — both in the same general region where Osgood is proposed. Local teams are based in Montreal and Saint-Séverin.

The company is majority-owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), which ties it directly to the retirement savings of millions of Canadians.

Connectif des Sommets brings a different kind of institutional weight. As an intermunicipal energy authority representing communities across the Les Appalaches, L’Érable, and Lotbinière RCMs, its role includes overseeing the consultation process and working to maximize local economic benefits from projects like this one.

The W8banaki Nation’s participation as a co-development partner reflects a growing norm in Quebec energy development — Indigenous communities engaged not just as consultees, but as active participants in project planning from the earliest stages.

What to watch for next

The September 4 open house was a starting point, not a conclusion. The Osgood Wind Project proposes 25 turbines and up to 200 MW of capacity spread across five municipalities in Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches. Selection under Hydro-Québec’s A/O 2026-01 procurement process isn’t guaranteed. A second public consultation is expected in late fall, where an updated version of the project will be presented — and if everything proceeds on schedule, operations could begin around 2032, roughly six years from now.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.